I'm up here next to Woodfield at work. Will be leaving shortly after 5 for the game tonight. Question is, should I jump on 290 towards the city or 90 towards the city? I'd assume they are about equal distance, but am looking for the least traffic plagued route. Suggestions?

doublem23

04-09-2008, 02:10 PM

I grew up in the city, near the Kennedy, so it's second nature to me, but I think if you take 290 in from Schaumburg you have to go through the Hillside Strangler, which I'm told is no walk in the park.

Either way you're going to have to deal with downtown traffic and Dan Ryan traffic, but I think the Kennedy would be better.

The Milkman

04-09-2008, 02:11 PM

Don't Go Near 290

CleeFan101

04-09-2008, 02:13 PM

I live in Schaumburg too man and let me just say... the easiest way to get to park is to take the train to the city and than the redline straight to the park. Its like a 3 block walk once you get off the train to the EL. Definitely better than driving.

scarsofthumper

04-09-2008, 02:15 PM

Do what i'm going to do on Friday. I just drive from my house (I'm near the Schaumburg Flyers Stadium) to the Cumberland CTA Park-n-Ride, take the Blue Line from Cumberland to Jackson, transfer to the Red Line and take that to 35th. Since it's a free transfer it will only cost you a total of $6 round trip plus parking ($2 each way plus $2 parking) and will only take about an hour.

jdm2662

04-09-2008, 02:18 PM

I'm up here next to Woodfield at work. Will be leaving shortly after 5 for the game tonight. Question is, should I jump on 290 towards the city or 90 towards the city? I'd assume they are about equal distance, but am looking for the least traffic plagued route. Suggestions?

Best bet is to listen to traffic reports. I can almost guarentee you will be backed up on 290 from Wolf Rd to Austin. That's the norm for most days. The Kennedy is usually hit or miss. You are almost guarenteed to be stuck at the toll to at least Harlem, if you are lucky. Thursdays and Fridays are usually much worse than the other days. It's a toss up...

nug0hs

04-09-2008, 02:19 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I have a (free) red parking coupon, so I'm not gonna jump on the EL :smile:

scarsofthumper

04-09-2008, 02:22 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I have a (free) red parking coupon, so I'm not gonna jump on the EL :smile:Well that changes EVERYTHING! lol

If I were you, i'd stick to 290. Yeah, it gets kinda congested around Mannheim and 25th, but it usually clears up past Austin. I'd take that over sitting parked on the Kennedy between Cumberland and the circle change ANY day.

kittle42

04-09-2008, 02:24 PM

1. Move to the city.

2. Take the train.

:cool:

BRDSR

04-09-2008, 02:24 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I have a (free) red parking coupon, so I'm not gonna jump on the EL :smile:

I would still take the blue line from Cumberland.

pdimas

04-09-2008, 02:27 PM

I work out of O'Hare and am going to take the train at around 4 p.m. When I do drive I just take 90 all the way. It does back up around Cumberland so I usually take streets as a shortcut (Mannheim to Lawrence, Lawrence to Cumberland, Cumberland to Foster, Foster to 90 - It saves me a good 20 minutes). Since you are coming in from Schaumburg just stay on 90. You will hit traffic either way but from my experience 290 is always worse.

RedHeadPaleHoser

04-09-2008, 02:28 PM

I agree with the blue line/red line xfer. I'm in Lombard so I'm a bit more biased, but having worked in Des Plaines before I did the Cumberland parking and hit the train.

If you're set on driving, why not venture a little further south, 294 to 55N, then take that into the city and get off at Damen?

scarsofthumper

04-09-2008, 02:30 PM

Is the coupon good for one day?

pdimas

04-09-2008, 02:31 PM

I agree with the blue line/red line xfer. I'm in Lombard so I'm a bit more biased, but having worked in Des Plaines before I did the Cumberland parking and hit the train.

If you're set on driving, why not venture a little further south, 294 to 55N, then take that into the city and get off at Damen?

Actually taking 294 to I55 isnt that bad of an idea. I am staying at my folks house by Midway off of Central and I55. From O'Hare to Midway I make about 45 minutes every day during rush hour but at least traffic moves. Then you take the Indiana ramp off of I55 (it generally takes about 15 min from 294 to reach) and get off at the first exit on your right.

scarsofthumper

04-09-2008, 02:34 PM

Actually taking 294 to I55 isnt that bad of an idea. I am staying at my folks house by Midway off of Central and I55. From O'Hare to Midway I make about 45 minutes every day during rush hour but at least traffic moves. Then you take the Indiana ramp off of I55 (it generally takes about 15 min from 294 to reach) and get off at the first exit on your right.
I remember 294 used to be a nightmare, but lately it hasn't been too bad, especially northbound.

kingpin_rcs

04-09-2008, 02:36 PM

I thought there weren't any Sox fans in Schaumburg :wink:

raven1

04-09-2008, 02:36 PM

Take 90. I drive this route regularly & have tried both numerous times - in most cases 90 will take about 60-90 minutes at that time, 290 will take anywhere from 15-30 minutes longer. I recommend leaving early if you can - if you can leave before 4 pm, you can get to USCF in about 30-45 minutes. If you don't get out of Schaumburg by 5:30 you will probably be late for the game.

pdimas

04-09-2008, 02:37 PM

I remember 294 used to be a nightmare, but lately it hasn't been too bad, especially northbound.

It has been backed up north bound the last few morning starting around the 290 exit (times jumped from 16 min to 40 min :angry:). Going south bound though hasn't changed.

soxfantim

04-09-2008, 02:40 PM

Google maps now work with CTA

http://maps.google.com/help/maps/transit/chicago/

I too work near O'Hare, usually park at Cumberland take the train

I used the Google Map/ transit/chicago O'Hare to USCF, it said to use the Blue line to the Green, which I found disconcerning

If you use the RTA Trip Planner, it gives you 3 different routes, 2 of which is Blue/Red, but Green does have a different route, and you can use that via stations like Clark/Lake and the rest of the Loop, I believe.

soxfantim

04-09-2008, 02:48 PM

I could see it as maybe an alt route, but none of the choices use the Red which is the main route

Scottzilla

04-09-2008, 02:59 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I have a (free) red parking coupon, so I'm not gonna jump on the EL :smile:
Sell it when you get there.

pdimas

04-09-2008, 03:02 PM

Well seeing as how my new condo is in Printers Row and I wont have a job as of next week (our current project is wrapping up). I believe my commute time will greatly diminish. :tongue: (Red Line from State and Harrison to Sox / 35th)

SoxFan78

04-09-2008, 03:12 PM

355 South to I-55. I-55 to 94 South. You shouldnt hit too much traffic, maybe...

peeonwrigley

04-09-2008, 03:17 PM

Check traffic.com before you leave.

I would bet on 90 being better. It's rush hour but it is inbound so there's a chance it will be fast. It's been pretty good this week for me.

Due to the Edens cluster****, the junction congestion inbound isn't as bad as usual (less traffic flowing in from the Edens).

I'll probably be taking 90 in today as well, but not all the way to the park. I'm going home to drop off my car and hop on the Rojo.

doublem23

04-09-2008, 03:23 PM

355 South to I-55. I-55 to 94 South. You shouldnt hit too much traffic, maybe...

:o:

You just turned a 30-mile trip into a 50-mile one.

Elephant

04-09-2008, 03:34 PM

Due to the Edens cluster****, the junction congestion inbound isn't as bad as usual (less traffic flowing in from the Edens).

I'll probably be taking 90 in today as well, but not all the way to the park. I'm going home to drop off my car and hop on the Rojo.

I figured that was it. Today it took me like 10 minutes to get from Elmhurst Rd to California. A solid 65 the whole way, albeit this was at 1 o'clock. Fortunately I almost never have to take the Edens for any reason.

Nellie_Fox

04-09-2008, 03:39 PM

:o:

You just turned a 30-mile trip into a 50-mile one.You should know that miles aren't as important as traffic in Chicago. 355 to 55 is far more likely to be moving along than southbound 294. I can't comment on 94 after the reconstruction, as I haven't been on it.

If you go in on 55, get off at Ashland and go to 35th rather than going all the way to 94.

getonbckthr

04-09-2008, 03:42 PM

Kennedy moves pretty smoothly now.

Bruizer

04-09-2008, 04:04 PM

I take 290 in for all the games from Downers Grove and it is always backed up from the Hillside strangler to Harlem, but it usually picks up after that. When I-94 was under construction, the exit lane from 290 was also backed up for quite a ways. I would just take 290 into the city and follow State street to the Cell.

Bru

nug0hs

04-09-2008, 04:07 PM

Alright, 90 to 90/94 it is. Thanks all.

peeonwrigley

04-09-2008, 04:26 PM

Fortunately I almost never have to take the Edens for any reason.

I do, unfortunately. Its just a complete mess, and the main alternate 294 is also under the knife right now. Totally ****ty timing.

Ziggy S

04-09-2008, 04:53 PM

I'm only home about three to five weeks out of the year and my parents still live in Schaumburg, so here's what I do. I only drive in Colorado (that's where my car is located), so I walk and take buses. Take the 699 (my parents' place is near the Northwest Tollway (90) and Roselle Rd) and 606 Pace routes to Rosemont CTA, take the Blue Line to downtown, transfer to the Red Line at Jackson, and take it to 35th.

FedEx227

04-09-2008, 04:59 PM

I take 290 in for all the games from Downers Grove and it is always backed up from the Hillside strangler to Harlem, but it usually picks up after that. When I-94 was under construction, the exit lane from 290 was also backed up for quite a ways. I would just take 290 into the city and follow State street to the Cell.

Bru

From Downers definitely take Lemont to I55, don't mess with 290 at all, it's just not worth it. 55 get off at the Damen/Ashland exit and you avoid pretty much all of the bad traffic, obviously you still have some crappy 55 traffic but nowhere near the amount of garbage you'll get on 290 and then on the Ryan.

kevingrt

04-09-2008, 05:04 PM

I live right by Lake Cook and Rt 53. I always take 53 to 290 down to the Cell. I usually get off at Ashland or Western on 290 to avoid the Ryan. But it usually is rather quick compared to other routes.

Jimmy John

04-09-2008, 05:19 PM

You should know that miles aren't as important as traffic in Chicago. 355 to 55 is far more likely to be moving along than southbound 294. I can't comment on 94 after the reconstruction, as I haven't been on it.

If you go in on 55, get off at Ashland and go to 35th rather than going all the way to 94.

exactly what i do...i find that to be the quickest coming from the south and west.

nug0hs

04-09-2008, 10:45 PM

Took 90 all the way in. Left the office at 5 after 5 and was in Lot B at 6:05. Left at 9 with frozen kneecaps.

chisoxmike

04-09-2008, 10:50 PM

Is there a Metra in Schaumburg?

scarsofthumper

04-09-2008, 11:57 PM

Is there a Metra in Schaumburg?Yes, but it's not near Woodfield. It's right off Springinsguth Rd literally next to Alexian Field, home of the Schaumburg Flyers.

ksimpson14

04-10-2008, 12:40 AM

Do what i'm going to do on Friday. I just drive from my house (I'm near the Schaumburg Flyers Stadium) to the Cumberland CTA Park-n-Ride, take the Blue Line from Cumberland to Jackson, transfer to the Red Line and take that to 35th. Since it's a free transfer it will only cost you a total of $6 round trip plus parking ($2 each way plus $2 parking) and will only take about an hour.

1 hour total or just on the train?

scarsofthumper

04-10-2008, 12:41 AM

1 hour total or just on the train?Just on the train.

ksimpson14

04-10-2008, 12:42 AM

I live near Schaumburg, I always take 290, but I'm not experienced with the expressways/city. It always sucks around Harlem/that nasty gas smell near Menards, but once getting past that, it's not bad. I usually give myself a 90 minute window that I want to be in and always make it. Depending on time and day, much earlier.

ksimpson14

04-10-2008, 12:43 AM

Just on the train.

Thanks, figured it was a dumb question, but wanted to be sure. I've thought about doing it, but never really mapped it out/calculated it

soxrme

04-10-2008, 04:44 AM

Helicopter is the only quick way.

Bruizer

04-10-2008, 08:21 AM

From Downers definitely take Lemont to I55, don't mess with 290 at all, it's just not worth it. 55 get off at the Damen/Ashland exit and you avoid pretty much all of the bad traffic, obviously you still have some crappy 55 traffic but nowhere near the amount of garbage you'll get on 290 and then on the Ryan.

I've done that, but I've found that getting to I-55 from the north side of Downers Grove can be a pain, especially for the weeknight games. I've also taken Ogden to 171st street to Archer into the city. Takes a little longer but it's much less stressful. :cool:

Bru

doublem23

04-10-2008, 08:38 AM

You should know that miles aren't as important as traffic in Chicago. 355 to 55 is far more likely to be moving along than southbound 294. I can't comment on 94 after the reconstruction, as I haven't been on it.

If you go in on 55, get off at Ashland and go to 35th rather than going all the way to 94.

If it were a choice between the Ike into the city or 355/55 I'd say yes, but there's no way going all the way down and up the Stevenson would be quicker than the Kennedy... At best it would be a wash timewise, but you'll have burned through an extra gallon of gas for no reason.

#1swisher

04-10-2008, 10:43 AM

Took 90 all the way in. Left the office at 5 after 5 and was in Lot B at 6:05. Left at 9 with frozen kneecaps.

I'll tell my brother, he lives in Schaumburg

FedEx227

04-10-2008, 10:46 AM

I've done that, but I've found that getting to I-55 from the north side of Downers Grove can be a pain, especially for the weeknight games. I've also taken Ogden to 171st street to Archer into the city. Takes a little longer but it's much less stressful. :cool:

Bru

Yeah, I'll usually take Main Street to Prairie to Cass, I never mess with Lemont Road when having to get to I-55.

And I'll have to try out your route one of these days, I'm always a fan of taking alternate longer but not quite as much highway stop-and-go routes.

Nellie_Fox

04-10-2008, 09:48 PM

If it were a choice between the Ike into the city or 355/55 I'd say yes, but there's no way going all the way down and up the Stevenson would be quicker than the Kennedy... At best it would be a wash timewise, but you'll have burned through an extra gallon of gas for no reason.I didn't think we were talking about the Kennedy; I thought we were talking about the Ike to 294 to 55, which is incredibly congested on a weekday evening.

SoxxoS

04-11-2008, 08:55 AM

290 is right by my parents house and in the middle of my sales territory, but I avoid it like the plague. Most of the time, its better to take 55 into the city, as that is really the only highway that moves E-W.

294 is great going N-S, but going E-W, 55 is the only decent one. 290 is a nightmare, even late at night. It does move pretty good when it opens up after Austin, however. But Mannheim to Austin is painful.

comiskey2000

04-11-2008, 02:38 PM

I also work near Schaumburg. Last year I would leave at 4:15 and get to my seat at 7:00. Traffic for the NW burbs is insane. Going on the Dan Ryan for 3 miles, getting off and sitting in the line for parking took forever. My advice is to leave as early as you can.

Law11

04-14-2008, 01:44 PM

Late to the party but for future trips. I take 90e to the tristste south to the stevenson and take that to ashland to 35th. Even in the worst traffic 90 minutes is the most its taken me. Forget the Kennedy and 290 at all costs..
if you do 290 get off at canal and take that all the way into the back lots.

I did the train thing but its still took me 90 minutes by the time I parked at Rosemont and got onto the blue line in then changed over to the red.

Law11

04-14-2008, 01:47 PM

I didn't think we were talking about the Kennedy; I thought we were talking about the Ike to 294 to 55, which is incredibly congested on a weekday evening.

Not as bad as the kennedy is..
In my opinion..

You just sit still on the kennedy. Breathing in all the truck fumes...